Sweet & Tangy Cola-Glazed Easter Ham Recipe: A Festive Delight

Crafting a mouthwatering cola-glazed ham brings unexpected magic to your holiday table.

Sweet bubbles from cola create an incredible caramelized exterior that surprises every guest.

Tender meat beneath a glistening glaze promises pure deliciousness.

Kitchen experiments often yield remarkable results when traditional ingredients meet creative techniques.

Pork transforms with this simple yet impressive approach to celebrating special moments.

Families will devour every succulent slice, asking for your secret method.

You’ll become the holiday hero with this irresistible centerpiece that blends classic comfort with modern culinary flair.

Why Cola-Glazed Easter Ham Is Sweet, Savory, And Stunning

• Slam-Dunk Flavor Fusion: Cola adds a unique sweet twist that transforms ordinary ham into a mouthwatering masterpiece with unexpected depth and richness.
• Crowd-Pleasing Holiday Star: Perfect for Easter gatherings, this ham brings together family and friends with its irresistible aroma and stunning caramelized glaze that looks professionally prepared.
• Master Minimal Effort Cooking: Simple scoring technique and straightforward glazing process means anyone can create a restaurant-quality main dish without advanced culinary skills, making it incredibly beginner-friendly.
• Customize Your Spice Adventure: Ground cloves, cinnamon, and ginger create a warm, complex flavor profile that can be easily adjusted to suit personal taste preferences or dietary needs.

Ingredients For Cola-Glazed Ham With Easter Vibes

• Fully Cooked Ham: A tender, pre-cooked meat centerpiece that provides the base for the festive Easter meal.

• Cola, Apple Cider Vinegar: These liquids help tenderize the ham and add depth of flavor to the overall dish.

• Brown Sugar, Dijon Mustard, Ground Cloves, Cinnamon, Ginger, Black Pepper: These spices and sweet elements create a complex, sticky glaze that caramelizes beautifully on the ham's surface.

• Aluminum Foil: Helps to cover the ham during initial roasting to prevent excessive drying.

Steps To Bake A Sweet And Savory Cola Easter Ham

Step 1: Prepare the Oven

Warm up your oven to a cozy 325°F, ensuring the perfect environment for your delicious ham to roast.

Step 2: Create Diamond Pattern

Grab a sharp knife and gently score the ham’s surface in a beautiful diamond pattern.

Be careful not to cut too deeply into the meat.

Step 3: Initial Roasting

Place the ham in a roasting pan and generously pour cola all over it.

Loosely cover the ham with aluminum foil to keep it moist and protected.

Step 4: First Roasting Session

Let the ham roast for about 1 1/2 hours.

Use a meat thermometer to check that the internal temperature reaches 140°F, which ensures it’s perfectly cooked.

Step 5: Craft the Glaze

• Brown sugar
• Dijon mustard
• Apple cider vinegar
• Ground cloves
• Cinnamon
• Ginger
• Black pepper

Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce heat and let it simmer until it transforms into a thick, glossy glaze.

Step 6: Glaze and Caramelize

Remove the ham from the oven and generously brush the glaze all over its surface. Return the ham to the oven without the foil.

Roast for an additional 30-45 minutes, basting with glaze every 10 minutes to create a beautiful caramelized exterior.

Step 7: Rest and Serve

Once the ham turns a gorgeous golden brown with a perfectly caramelized glaze, remove it from the oven.

Let it rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the juices to redistribute. Slice and serve this mouthwatering centerpiece to your delighted guests.

Pro Tips To Get That Perfect Cola Glaze

• Scoring the ham creates beautiful diamond patterns that help the glaze penetrate and caramelize perfectly.
• Use regular cola for the best flavor, as diet versions might not provide the same rich caramelization and sweetness.
• Baste the ham frequently during the final roasting stage to ensure a glossy, even glaze that locks in moisture and flavor.
• Rest the ham for at least 10 minutes after cooking to allow juices to redistribute, ensuring each slice remains tender and succulent.
• Select a bone-in ham for maximum flavor and juiciness, which provides better texture and more robust taste compared to boneless options.

Variations On Cola-Glazed Ham That Wow

• Maple Bourbon Infusion: Replace cola with maple syrup and bourbon for a rich, complex flavor profile that caramelizes beautifully on the ham's surface.
• Citrus Herb Burst: Swap cola with orange juice and add fresh rosemary, thyme, and lemon zest to create a bright, aromatic glaze that elevates the traditional ham.
• Spicy Pineapple Kick: Incorporate crushed pineapple and a touch of sriracha sauce into the glaze for a sweet and spicy Caribbean-inspired transformation that adds vibrant layers of taste.
• Asian-Inspired Glaze: Use soy sauce, honey, and ginger instead of cola, creating a savory-sweet Asian fusion glaze that brings unexpected depth to the classic Easter ham.

Best Pairings For Cola-Glazed Easter Ham

• Sip a Complementary Red Wine: Choose a medium-bodied Pinot Noir or Zinfandel with fruity undertones that beautifully balance the ham's sweet and savory glaze.
• Pair with Roasted Root Vegetables: Create a rustic side dish of caramelized carrots, parsnips, and sweet potatoes seasoned with herbs to echo the ham's warm spice notes.
• Serve with Tangy Coleslaw: Prepare a crisp, vinegar-based coleslaw that cuts through the richness of the ham and provides a refreshing contrast to the sweet cola glaze.
• Add Buttery Dinner Rolls: Include soft, warm dinner rolls brushed with herb butter to help soak up the delicious glaze and provide a comforting accompaniment to the main dish.

How To Store Your Cola Ham Without Losing Juiciness

• Refrigerate: Store leftover ham in an airtight container within 2 hours of cooking. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil to prevent drying out. Refrigerated ham stays fresh for 3-4 days.
• Freeze: Slice ham into portion-sized pieces before freezing. Place in freezer-safe containers or heavy-duty freezer bags. Remove excess air to prevent freezer burn. Frozen ham maintains quality for up to 2 months.
• Reheat Oven Method: Preheat oven to 325°F. Place ham slices in a baking dish, add a splash of broth or water to maintain moisture. Cover with foil and warm for 10-15 minutes until heated through.
• Microwave Quick Reheat: Place ham slices on a microwave-safe plate.

FAQs For Cola-Glazed Ham You Should Know

• What makes cola a great ingredient for glazing ham?

Cola contains sugars and acids that help tenderize the meat, create a beautiful caramelized exterior, and add a subtle sweetness that complements the ham’s natural flavor.

• Can I use diet cola instead of regular cola?

Regular cola works best because the sugar content is crucial for creating the caramelization and glaze. Diet cola lacks the necessary sugar and won’t produce the same rich, golden-brown finish.

• How do I know if I've scored the ham correctly?

Score the ham in a diamond pattern about 1/4 inch deep, making parallel cuts across the surface. This helps the glaze penetrate the meat and creates an attractive presentation while allowing the fat to render.

Cola-Glazed Easter Ham with Sweet and Savory Glaze Recipe

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4.5 from 39 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 15 minutes
• Yield: 8 1x

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Description

Succulent cola-glazed Easter ham brings Southern charm to your holiday table, infusing classic comfort with unexpected fizzy sweetness. Rich flavors and glossy glaze make you the star of family gatherings, promising a memorable centerpiece that delights everyone.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 1 (6-8 pounds) bone-in ham

Glaze Ingredients:

• 1 (12 fluid ounces / 355 milliliters) cola
• 1 cup (240 grams) packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (120 milliliters) Dijon mustard

Spice Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

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Instructions

1. Prepare the oven to 325°F, creating an ideal cooking environment for the ham.
2. Transform the ham’s exterior by etching a delicate diamond pattern across its surface, ensuring shallow cuts that enhance visual appeal and glaze absorption.
3. Position the ham in a roasting vessel, generously dousing it with cola to infuse moisture and complex flavor undertones.
4. Envelop the ham loosely with aluminum foil, then roast for approximately 1 1/2 hours until the internal temperature reaches 140°F.
5. Craft a luxurious glaze by combining brown sugar, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, ground cloves, cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper in a saucepan.
6. Simmer the glaze over medium heat for 10-15 minutes, allowing the ingredients to meld and reduce into a rich, viscous consistency.
7. Extract the ham from the oven and lavishly coat its surface with the prepared glaze, ensuring thorough and even coverage.
8. Return the ham to the oven uncovered, roasting for an additional 30-45 minutes and repeatedly basting every 10 minutes to develop a caramelized, glossy exterior.
9. Once the ham achieves a golden-brown finish with a perfectly caramelized glaze, remove from the oven and allow it to rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing.

Notes

• Scoring the ham creates beautiful presentation and helps the glaze penetrate deeper into the meat, enhancing overall flavor complexity.
• Use regular cola for consistent sweetness, avoiding diet versions which might alter the glaze’s caramelization process.
• Select a bone-in ham for more succulent and flavorful results, as the bone helps retain moisture during roasting.
• Adjust cooking time based on ham weight, typically 15-20 minutes per pound to ensure perfect internal temperature without drying out the meat.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 hours
• Category: Dinner, Appetizer
• Method: Roasting
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 8
• Calories: 350
• Sugar: 20 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 45 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 20 g
• Cholesterol: 70 mg